As one of the most aggressive contact sports, it’s of little surprise that football injuries are common. In fact, each year, hundreds of injuries occur at the college and national levels, and some are career-ending. But at the same time, with proper care and football injury rehabilitation, the vast majority return to the field. And some beat all odds and achieve levels of performance well beyond their pre-injury status. Over the years, there have been several players who have enjoyed football injury comebacks to this extent. Though such accomplishments may not be the norm, it’s worth exploring their stories and the effort required to excel post-injury.
In terms of football injury comebacks, there are a number of factors that affect outcomes. Inheritable aspects certainly may play a role in some instances. Also, a passion, commitment, and dedication to return to the game drives the time and efforts required. But at the same time, the right interventions and football injury rehabilitation make notable contributions. The right combination of these components improve football players’ odds of returning. In an effort to highlight this, the following lists some of the most impressive football injury comebacks of all time. Reading their stories is not only inspiring but similarly shows the role effort and effective care plays.
- Alex Smith – In November of 2018, Alex Smith suffered an incredibly horrific fracture to his leg. For some quarterbacks, this alone has been season-ending. But Alex Smith went on to suffer much more through the process of his care. When it was all said and done, multiple infections required him to have over 17 different surgeries. As a result, the 36-year-old missed the entire 2019 season but returned in 2020. His level of performance was not the same. But the fact he played once again makes his story one of the greatest football injury comebacks of all time.
- Rod Woodson – In 1995, Pittsburgh Steeler safety Rod Woodson tore his ACL while attempting to tackle Hall-of-Famer Barry Sanders. For most players, this would have meant the end of his season that year. But Woodson was determined to return and did so to play in that’s year’s Superbowl with his team. He achieved this through intense football injury rehabilitation that certainly paid off. The subsequent year he was named to the NFL’s Pro Bowl as one of the elite players in the league.
- Adrian Peterson – Another remarkable story involving intense football injury rehabilitation involved Minnesota Viking’s running back, Adrian Peterson. On Christmas Eve of 2011, Peterson tore both his ACL and MCL in his left knee. Typically, such an injury takes over a year for someone’s return. But Peterson defied both time and his age to begin the next year’s season on time a mere 10 months later. That year, he ran for nearly 2100 yards and 12 touchdowns, placing among the greatest running backs of all time.
- Willis McGahee – Major football injury comebacks also occur in college football as well. Willis McGahee had the unfortunate luck of tearing both his MCL and ACL in the NCAA’s national title game. The Miami Hurricane running back had been listed as a top prospect for the NFL draft, but missed what would have been his rookie season. But that did not stop him. With multiple surgeries and extensive football injury rehabilitation, he played the subsequent year. And in fact, remained in the NFL a total of 10 years despite his injury.
- Carson Palmer – In 2014, the Arizona Cardinal’s quarterback tore his ACL during play. But it wasn’t the first time. Palmer had suffered the same exact injury 8 years prior, which made it unlikely for a second football injury comeback. But despite this and being 34 years of age, Palmer proved everyone wrong. after surgery and comprehensive physical therapy, he posted career highs in 2015. He surpassed prior achievements in yards, touchdowns and quarterback ratings. Plus, he was voted the NFL’s comeback player of the year.
- Drew Brees – Early in his career, Drew Brees suffered a torn rotator cuff and labrum of his shoulder. For a quarterback, that is obviously bad news. But to make matters worse, he was about to be a free agent, and teams were hesitant to make him an offer. Fortunately for him, the New Orleans Saints were willing to gamble on his football injury rehabilitation. And luckily for the Saints, their gamble paid off. Brees not only helped win them a Superbowl but earned MVP honors in the process.
- Peyton Manning – After playing in 227 straight NFL games, Peyton Manning made the decision to undergo surgery. Plagued by neck and back issues, he underwent a spinal fusion in 2011 that require multiple operations. After each one, he also had to participate in extensive football injury rehabilitation. But he eventually returned to play with the Denver Broncos, and he did so in excellent form. He once again became on of the NFL’s most prolific passers and earned a Super Bowl ring in 2016. His story is certainly one of the most inspiring football injury comebacks.
- Jeremy Maclin – Football injury rehabilitation isn’t always simply returning to prior form and abilities. In some cases, it’s about improving above and beyond past performances. This was the case for Jeremy Maclin who suffered a torn ACL in 2013 while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. For the remainder of that entire year, Maclin was determined to be better than he was. And in 2014, he did. Not only did he surpass prior pass receptions yard, but he also ranked 3rd among all receivers for on-the-field time. His dedication and work ethic is what earned him one of the best football injury comebacks in the NFL.
- Joe Montana – While some may not know it, one of the greatest football injury comebacks belongs to Joe Montana. In 1986, he suffered a disc rupture and herniation in his back. Most believed this would prompt his retirement from the game. But instead, he bounced back from his injury with aggressive treatment and football injury rehabilitation. He then received the league’s MVP award 2 different years and won a Superbowl thereafter. As a result, he too earned his name among the top football injury comebacks in the NFL.
